The decision comes after almost three months of sometimes-violent protests in the former British territory of Hong Kong, and the current environment is seen as politically unstable. Some commentators have raised concerns that the Beijing government may use the military to crack down on the protests just as it did in 1989 to quell the Tiananmen Square uprising.

Alibaba's widely anticipated listing could still come later this year, perhaps as early as October, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. If it takes place, the stock offering could be the largest in 2019.

The decision to postpone the deal was taken at a board meeting before Alibaba released earnings last week.

American depositary receipts of Alibaba rose 0.74% to $178.52 in premarket trading Wednesday.

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UAW Vice President Terry Dittes sent a letter to union members Saturday saying that the union will not extend the current 2015 collective bargaining agreement, but will work without a contract 'until a course of action is decided' by the UAW international executive board and the UAW-GM national council.

GM and the United Auto Workers continue to haggle at the negotiation table over everything from pay and temporary workers to health care costs, but with the union's four-year current contract set to expire at midnight, the auto industry could see its first major walkout in more than a decade.